Image processing system, image processing apparatus, control method of image processing apparatus, and program

ABSTRACT

In an information processing apparatus, when a receiving unit receives data from an external device, a power control unit returns a power state of the apparatus from a power saving state and a transmitting unit transmits a start instruction to a connected image forming apparatus, and when a power supply switch becomes on according to a user&#39;s operation, the power control unit returns the power state of the apparatus from the power saving state but the transmitting unit does not transmit the start instruction to the image forming apparatus. Thus, it is possible to achieve both a linkage start and an individual start for an external image processing controller and the image forming apparatus, in an image processing system including the information processing apparatus, the external image processing controller and the image forming apparatus capable of performing an image process in cooperation with others.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image processing system in which anexternal image processing controller and an image forming apparatus canperform an image process in cooperation with each other.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, power saving has been needed to an image formingapparatus. Consequently, an active power supply control function hasbeen incorporated in the image forming apparatus. For example, anexternal power supply off function such as a remote shutdown function orthe like for externally turning off the power supply of the imageforming apparatus has been provided.

Incidentally, in case of collectively stopping a plurality of devices inunits of groups by the remote shutdown function, it is then needed tocollectively start the plurality of devices in units of groups. Here, atechnique of, in an image processing system in which an image formingapparatus and an image processing controller (print server) are properlycombined with each other, collectively starting the image formingapparatus and the image processing controller has been proposed(Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-036318). Morespecifically, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-036318discloses the function of, when a start instruction is transmitted tothe external image processing controller, linking and starting the imageforming apparatus connected to the external image processing controller.

As described above, heretofore, in a case where a power supply switch isturned on by a user or a power supply start instruction is issuedthrough a network (remote on), it is possible to collectively start theexternal image processing controller and the image forming apparatus andreturn the power states thereof from a low power sleep state.

Meanwhile, there is a case where the external image processingcontroller is used not to perform printing but to perform only atypesetting operation. In this case, there is a use case where only theexternal image processing controller is turned on.

However, in the existing technique disclosed in Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open No. 2007-036318, since the start instruction isunconditionally issued to the image forming apparatus when the powersupply switch of the external image processing controller is turned on,the image forming apparatus is inevitably turned on. For this reason,since it is impossible to achieve the use case as described above, aproblem of wasteful power consumption in the unused image formingapparatus occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been completed in order to solve the aboveproblem, and an object thereof is to provide a mechanism capable ofachieving, in an image processing system which includes an externalimage processing controller and an image forming apparatus capable ofperforming an image process in cooperation with each other, both alinkage start of the external image processing controller and the imageforming apparatus and an individual start of each of the external imageprocessing controller and the image forming apparatus.

To achieve the above object, there is provided, in the presentinvention, an information processing apparatus which is communicablyconnected to an image forming apparatus and which performs an imageprocess in cooperation with the image forming apparatus, comprising: areceiving unit configured to receive data from an external devicethrough a network; a power supply switch configured to become either anon state or an off state in accordance with an operation by a user; apower control unit configured to, in a case where the receiving unitreceives the data from the external device or in a case where the powersupply switch becomes the on state in accordance with the operation bythe user, return a power state of the information processing apparatusfrom a power saving state; and a transmitting unit configured totransmit, to the image forming apparatus, a start instruction forstarting the image forming apparatus, wherein (1) in the case where thereceiving unit receives the data from the external device, the powercontrol unit returns the power state of the information processingapparatus from the power saving state, and the transmitting unittransmits the start instruction to the image forming apparatus, and (2)in the case where the power supply switch becomes the on state inaccordance with the operation by the user, the power control unitreturns the power state of the information processing apparatus from thepower saving state, but the transmitting unit does not transmit thestart instruction to the image forming apparatus.

According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve, in theimage processing system which includes the external image processingcontroller and the image forming apparatus capable of performing theimage process in cooperation with each other, both the linkage start ofthe external image processing controller and the image forming apparatusand the individual start of each of the external image processingcontroller and the image forming apparatus.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image forming systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardwareconstitution of an external image processing controller 101.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a softwareconfiguration of the external image processing controller 101.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart indicating an example of a reception process of astart instruction packet transmitted from a PC (personal computer)client 103 to a LAN I/F (local area network interface) 1 (212) of theexternal image processing controller 101.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of record contents of astart instruction to be recorded in a memory of the LAN I/F 1 (212).

FIG. 6 is a flow chart indicating an example of a process which isperformed when software to be executed by a CPU (central processingunit) 201 of the external image processing controller 101 is started.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart indicating an example of a process which isperformed when the start instruction packet is received from a PC clientwhile a main power supply of software to be executed by the CPU 201 ofthe external image processing controller 101 is being on.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart indicating details of a start process of theimage forming apparatus to be performed by the CPU 201 of the externalimage processing controller 101 cooperating with the image formingapparatus.

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a hardwareconstitution of an image forming apparatus 102.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to the attached drawings. Here, variousconstituent elements will be cited in the following descriptionabsolutely as examples, and the present invention is by no means limitedonly thereto.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image forming systemaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image forming system according to thepresent embodiment is constituted by an external image processingcontroller 101 and an image forming apparatus 102. Here, the externalimage processing controller 101 is the image processing controller whichis externally connected to the image forming apparatus 102 communicablythrough a network 105.

The image forming apparatus 102 is the image forming apparatus whichconstitutes one image forming system in combination with the externalimage processing controller 101.

A PC client 103 is connected to a network 104. The PC client 103 canissue a start instruction and a print instruction to the image formingsystem constituted by the external image processing controller 101 andthe image forming apparatus 102, through the network 104.

The network 104 is the network to which the external image processingcontroller 101 and the PC client 103 are connected. Moreover, thenetwork 104 is the network which achieves LAN connection such asEthernet or the like.

The network 105 is the network which is used to connect the externalimage processing controller 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 toeach other. Moreover, the network 105 is the network which achieves LANconnection such as Ethernet or the like.

Incidentally, it should be noted that a configuration in which, insteadof either one or both of the network 104 and the network 105, anothercommunication medium such as a USB (universal serial bus) cable or thelike is used to achieve the above connection is also included in thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of ahardware constitution of the external image processing controller 101.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, for example, the external image processingcontroller 101 includes a CPU 201, a ROM (read only memory) 202, a RAM(random access memory) 203, an HDD (hard disk driver) 204, a powersupply control unit 205, a power supply unit 206, a power supply plug207, a main power supply switch 208, an external display I/F 209, akeyboard I/F 210, a mouse I/F 211, a LAN I/F 1 (212) and a LAN I/F 2(213).

The CPU 201 performs various processes by reading and executing programscomputer-readably stored in the ROM 202 or the HDD 204. The RAM 203 isused as a working area for the CPU 201.

The external display I/F 209 controls a display by a display 214, thekeyboard I/F 210 controls an input from a keyboard 215, and the mouseI/F 211 controls an input from a mouse 216.

The LAN I/F 1 (212) is the communication control unit which controlsconnection between the external image processing controller and thenetwork 104. The external image processing controller 101, which isconnected to the network 104 through the LAN I/F 1 (212), cancommunicate with the PC client 103 serving as an external device.Moreover, the external image processing controller 101 can receive astart instruction and a print job from the PC client 103 through thenetwork 104.

Incidentally, the LAN I/F 1 (212), which is connected to an internal bus225, can notify through the internal bus 225 the power supply controlunit 205 of reception of a start instruction packet transmitted from thePC client 103. Thus, it is possible for the power supply control unit205 to start the external image processing controller 101 in response tosuch a start instruction packet reception notification. Incidentally, aunicast packet, a multicast packet or a broadcast packet may be used asthe start instruction packet. For example, to collectively start deviceson a floor or devices in a building, the multicast packet or thebroadcast packet is used as the start instruction packet. Further, tostart only a specific device, the unicast packet is used as the startinstruction packet.

The LAN I/F 2 (213) controls connection between the external imageprocessing controller and the network 105. The external image processingcontroller 101, which is connected to the network 105 through the LANI/F 2 (213), can communicate with the image forming apparatus 102. Thus,the external image processing controller 101 can issue a startinstruction and a print instruction to the image forming apparatus 102,through the network 105.

The power supply control unit 205, which is connected to the internalbus 225, can receive the start instruction packet reception notificationfrom the LAN I/F 1 (212) as described above. The power supply controlunit 205 is also connected to the main power supply switch 208 through amain power supply switch line 222, and thus can detect depression of themain power supply switch 208 by a user through the main power supplyswitch line 222. The power supply control unit 205 instructs the powersupply unit 206 to enable power supply to a main power supply line 223by using a power supply unit control line 221, on the basis of the startinstruction packet reception notification or detection of the depressionof the main power supply switch 208.

The power supply unit 206 performs voltage and DC conversion to AC powersupplied from the power supply plug 207, and thereby supplies power toeach module through a standby power supply line 224 and the main powersupply line 223.

The standby power supply line 224 is the supply line through which poweris always supplied. The standby power supply line 224 is the supply linethrough which power is always supplied to the LAN I/F 1 (212) used toprocess the start instruction from the network 105 and the power supplycontrol unit 205. Meanwhile, the main power supply line 223 is the mainpower supply line which is controlled to supply or stop power inresponse to an instruction transferred from the power supply controlunit 205.

The external image processing controller 101 can operate in at least twopower states, i.e., a power saving state (first power state) in whichpower is supplied from the standby power supply line 224 and power isnot supplied from the main power supply line 223, and a start state(second power state) in which power is supplied from both the standbypower supply line 224 and the main power supply line 223. The externalimage process controller 101 performs power control by switching thepower state from the first power state to the second power state.Incidentally, the main power supply switch 208 is the switch capable ofinstructing to switch the power state between the first power state andthe second power state. Also, a user can switch the power state of theexternal image processing controller 101 from the first power state tothe second power state in response to an instruction transmitted fromthe PC client 103.

Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the first power state isincluded in the state that the external image processing controller 101is not started. That is, to start the external image processingcontroller 101 implies to return the power state of the external imageprocessing controller 101 from the first power state to the second powerstate.

The internal bus 225, which is constituted by, e.g., a PCI (PeripheralComponents Interconnect) bus or the like, enables data communicationamong respective modules.

Incidentally, the LAN I/F 1 (212) has a processor, a memory and the likeall not illustrated. The processor performs various processes for theLAN I/F 1 (212) by reading and executing programs stored in the memory.

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a hardwareconstitution of the image forming apparatus 102.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, for example, the image forming apparatus 102includes a CPU 901, a ROM 902, a RAM 903, an HDD 904, a power supplycontrol unit 905, a power supply unit 906, a power supply plug 907, abody power supply switch 908, a printing unit I/F 909, a reading unitI/F 910, an operation unit I/F 911, a LAN I/F 912, a printing unit 913,a reading unit 914 and an operation unit 915.

The CPU 901 performs various processes by reading and executing programscomputer-readably stored in the ROM 902 or the HDD 904. The RAM 903 isused as a working area for the CPU 901.

The printing unit I/F 909 controls the printing unit 913, the readingunit I/F 910 controls the reading unit 914, and the operation unit I/F911 controls the operation unit 915.

The LAN I/F 912 controls connection between the image forming apparatusand the network 105. The image forming apparatus 102, which is connectedto the network 105 through the LAN I/F 912, can communicate with theexternal image processing controller 101. Moreover, the image formingapparatus 102 can receive a start instruction and a print instructionfrom the external image processing controller 101 through the network105.

The power supply control unit 905, which is connected to an internal bus925, can receive the start instruction from the LAN I/F 912 as describedabove. The power supply control unit 905 instructs the power supply unit906 to enable power supply to a main power supply line 923 by using apower supply unit control line 921, on the basis of the received startinstruction.

The power supply unit 906 performs voltage and DC conversion to AC powersupplied from the power supply plug 907, and thereby supplies power toeach module through a standby power supply line 924 and the main powersupply line 923. The body power supply switch 908, which is connectedbetween the power supply plug 907 and the power supply unit 906, is usedto switch supplying and stopping of the AC power from the power supplyunit 906.

The standby power supply line 924 is the supply line through which poweris always (when the body power supply switch 908 is on) supplied. Thestandby power supply line 924 is the supply line through which power isalways supplied to the LAN I/F 912 used to process the start instructionfrom the network 105 and the power supply control unit 905.

Meanwhile, the main power supply line 923 is the main power supply linewhich is controlled to supply or stop power in response to aninstruction transferred from the power supply control unit 905. The mainpower supply line 923 is controlled to supply the power in a normal mode(start state) and to stop the power supply in a state such as a deepsleep mode in which the apparatus is not started. Thus, it is possiblein a power saving mode to suppress the power consumption of the imageforming apparatus 102. Incidentally, the deep sleep mode is a kind ofpower saving mode in the image forming apparatus, and the functionalunits other than the power supply unit 906, the power supply controlunit 905 and the LAN I/F 912 are not started in this mode. In thepresent embodiment, the deep sleep mode is included in the state thatthe image forming apparatus is not started, and to start the imageforming apparatus implies to return the image forming apparatus from thedeep sleep mode to the normal mode.

The image forming apparatus 102 can operate in at least two powerstates, i.e., the deep sleep mode in which power is supplied from thestandby power supply line 924 and power is not supplied from the mainpower supply line 923, and the start state in which power is suppliedfrom both the standby power supply line 924 and the main power supplyline 923.

The internal bus 925, which is constituted by, e.g., a PCI bus or thelike, enables data communication among respective modules.

Hereinafter, a software configuration of the external image processingcontroller 101 will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

Namely, FIG. 3 is the functional block diagram illustrating an exampleof the software configuration of the external image processingcontroller 101. Incidentally, each software module illustrated in FIG. 3is achieved when the CPU 201 reads out and executes a program stored inthe ROM 202, the RAM 203 and the HDD 204 of the external imageprocessing controller 101.

In FIG. 3, an OS (operating system) 321 is basic software of theexternal image processing controller 101. A print server application 301is application software which operates on the OS 321 executed by the CPU201.

The print server application 301 includes a typesetting (composition)editing part 311, a job control part 312, an RIP (raster imageprocessor) part 313 and a cooperation part 314, and performs variouskinds of predetermined processes including an image process.

The typesetting editing part 311 is the editing part which performs atypesetting editing process of editing image data for each page to abookbinding typesetting (composition) format, on the basis of aninstruction from the PC client 103.

The job control part 312 is the control part which controls the printjob on the basis of an instruction from the PC client 103. Morespecifically, the job control part 312 controls reception of print dataand the print instruction from the PC client 103, and print order in theprint job.

The RIP part 313 is the processing part which performs a conversionprocess of PDL (page description language) data into a raster image tobe printed, when the typesetting editing process is performed by thetypesetting editing part 311 or when an actual image forming process isperformed by the job control part 312.

The cooperation part 314 is the cooperation part which performs a powersupply cooperation control of the cooperating image forming apparatus102 so that the power supply of the image forming apparatus is turned onin conjunction with turn-on of the power supply of the external imageprocessing controller 101.

Hereinafter, a start process of the external image processing controller101 according to the present embodiment will be described with referenceto FIGS. 4 to 8.

Initially, a reception process of the start instruction packet by theLAN I/F 1 (212) will be described with reference to the flow chartillustrated in FIG. 4.

Namely, FIG. 4 is the flow chart indicating an example of the receptionprocess of the start instruction packet transmitted from the PC client103 to the LAN I/F 1 (212) of the external image processing controller101.

Incidentally, the process in the flow chart is achieved when theprocessor in the LAN I/F 1 (212) reads out and executes the programstored in the memory of the LAN I/F 1 (212). When the process in theflow chart is performed, the external image processing controller 101 isin the state that the main power supply switch 208 is off and the mainpower supply is off. As described above, even in the state that the mainpower supply is off, since the power is always supplied from the standbypower supply line 224, the LAN I/F 1 (212) is in the operable state(first power state).

Initially, when the start instruction packet transmitted from the PCclient 103 is received by the LAN I/F 1 (212) (S401), the process isadvanced to S402.

In S402, the information (start record) indicating that there is thestart instruction by the start instruction packet and the IP (InternetProtocol) address of the PC client from which the start instructionpacket was received are recorded, as a record of the start instruction,in the memory of the LAN I/F 1 (212). Here, a concrete example of therecord contents of the start instruction is illustrated in FIG. 5.

Namely, FIG. 5 is the diagram illustrating an example of the recordcontents of the start instruction to be recorded in the memory of theLAN I/F 1 (212).

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the record of the start instruction includes astart record 501 and a start instruction PC client IP 502.

When the start instruction is issued by receiving the start instructionpacket (in the case of FIG. 4), “True” is recorded as the start record501 by the LAN I/F 1 (212). On the other hand, when the startinstruction is not issued by the start instruction packet, “False” isrecorded as the start record 501.

Further, the IP address of the PC client 103 is recorded as the startinstruction PC client IP 502 by the LAN I/F 1 (212).

Hereinafter, the description returns to the flow chart illustrated inFIG. 4.

Next, in S403, the start instruction (start instruction packet receptionnotification) is transferred from the LAN I/F 1 (212) to the powersupply control unit 205 through the internal bus 225. Then, on the basisof the start instruction packet reception notification, the power supplyunit 206 is instructed by the power supply control unit 205 to supplythe power to the main power supply line 223 of the external imageprocessing controller, and the external image processing controller 101is started and activated. Thus, the external image processing controller101 comes to be in the second power state.

Subsequently, a process which is performed when software to be executedby the CPU 201 will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

Namely, FIG. 6 is the flow chart indicating an example of the processwhich is performed when the software to be executed by the CPU 201 ofthe external image processing controller 101 is started.

Incidentally, the process in the flow chart corresponds to the processwhich is performed after the power supply to the main power supply line223 is started based on the start instruction (start instruction packetreception notification) in S403 of FIG. 4 and thus the process of theCPU 201 is started. Further, the process in the flow chart is achievedwhen the CPU 201 reads out and executes a program stored in the ROM 202,the RAM 203 or the HDD 204.

Initially, in S601, a start process of the OS 321 is performed by theCPU 201. When the start process of the OS 321 is completed, aninitialization and start process of the cooperation part 314 of theprint server application 301 is performed by the CPU 201.

Next, in S602, the CPU 201 judges in the cooperation part 314 whether ornot the power-on based on the start instruction this time has beenperformed through the network. More specifically, the CPU 201 checks andsees the value recorded as the start record 501 of FIG. 5 held in thememory of the LAN I/F 1 (212), through the internal bus 225. When thestart instruction has been transferred through the network, “True” hasbeen recorded as the start record 501 held in the memory of the LAN I/F1 (212) in S402 of FIG. 4.

Consequently, when “True” has been recorded as the start record 501, itis judged by the CPU 201 that the start instruction has been transferredthrough the network (YES in S602), and the process is advanced to S603.

On the other hand, when “False” has been recorded as the start record501, it is judged by the CPU 201 that the start instruction is based onthe depression of the main power supply switch 208 (that is, the startinstruction has not been transferred through the network) (NO in S602),and the process is advanced to S605.

In S603, the start process of the cooperating image forming apparatus102 is performed by the CPU 201. The detail of this process will beseparately described with reference to FIG. 8.

Further, in S604, since the start process was performed, the value ofthe start record 501 set in S402 of FIG. 4 is returned to “False” by theCPU 201 (deletion (erasure) of the start instruction record).Incidentally, in S604, since there is a possibility that the value ofthe start instruction PC client IP 502 is used in a later-describedstart instruction success/failure notification process (S806 and S807 inFIG. 8), the relevant value is continuously held. Then, the process isadvanced to S605.

In S605, the initialization and start process is performed by the CPU201 to, among the functions of the print server application 301, thefunction(s) usable even if the cooperating image forming apparatus 102is not started yet. More specifically, the initialization and startprocess is performed by the CPU 201 to, among respective moduleprocessing parts of the print server application 301, the typesettingediting part 311 and the RIP part 313. That is, the job control part 312for controlling a job transmitted from the PC client 103 is not startedhere. Consequently, when “NO” is given in S602 and the process is thusadvanced to S605, since the job control part 312 is not started, theexternal image processing controller 101 is in the state not acceptingthe process to be performed in cooperation with the image formingapparatus 102 (for example, the print instruction from the PC client103).

Thus, as described in the flow chart of FIG. 6, when the startinstruction is received by the external image processing controller 101from the external device in the first power state, the external imageprocessing controller 101 is started, and also a first start process ofissuing the start instruction to the image forming apparatus isperformed. On the other hand, when the start instruction is issued bythe main power supply switch 208, the external image processingcontroller 101 is started, and also a second start process of notissuing the start instruction to the image forming apparatus isperformed.

Next, a process which is performed when the start instruction packet isreceived by the CPU 201 from the PC client while the main power supplyof the external image processing controller 101 is being on will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 7.

Namely, FIG. 7 is the flow chart indicating an example of the processwhich is performed when the start instruction packet is received fromthe PC client while the main power supply of software to be executed bythe CPU 201 of the external image processing controller 101 is being on.

Incidentally, the process in the flow chart is achieved when the CPU 201reads out and executes a program stored in the ROM 202, the RAM 203 orthe HDD 204. Further, the process in this flow chart is performed toissue the start instruction from the external PC client 103 to the imageforming apparatus 102 in the case where only the external imageprocessing controller 101 is being started and activated and the imageforming apparatus 102 is being stopped.

Initially, when the packet received by the LAN I/F 1 (212) istransferred from the LAN I/F 1 (212) to the CPU 201 (S701), the processis advanced to S702.

In S702, it is judged by the CPU 201 whether or not the packet receivedin S701 is the start instruction packet transmitted from the PC client103.

When it is judged by the CPU 201 that the received packet is the startinstruction packet transmitted from the PC client 103 (YES in S702), theprocess is advanced to S703.

In S703, the start process of the cooperating image forming apparatus102 is performed based on the cooperation part 314 of the print serverapplication by the CPU 201. The detail of this process will beseparately described with reference to FIG. 8. When the process in S703is completed, the entire process in this flow chart is completed by theCPU 201.

On the other hand, when it is judged by the CPU 201 in S702 that thepacket received in 5701 is not the start instruction packet transmittedfrom the PC client 103 (NO in S702), the process is advanced to S704.

In S704, the process (normal print server process) corresponding to thereceived packet is performed based on the process parts other than thecooperation part 314 of the print server application 301 by the CPU 201.Then, the process is again returned to S701 to receive a new packet.

Subsequently, the start process (S603 in FIG. 6, S703 in FIG. 7) of thecooperating image forming apparatus to be performed by the CPU 201 ofthe external image processing controller 101 will be described withreference to FIG. 8.

Namely, FIG. 8 is the flow chart indicating the details of the startprocess (S603 in FIG. 6, S703 in FIG. 7) of the cooperating imageforming apparatus to be performed by the CPU 201 of the external imageprocessing controller 101. Incidentally, the process in this flow chartcorresponds to the process of the cooperation part 314. That is, thisprocess is achieved when the CPU 201 reads out and executes a programstored in the storage unit of the ROM 202, the RAM 203 or the HDD 204 ofthe external image processing controller 101.

Initially, the cooperating image forming apparatus 102 is instructed bythe CPU 201 to start the operation (S801). More specifically, the startinstruction packet is transmitted by the CPU 201 from the LAN I/F 2(213) to the image forming apparatus 102 through the network 105.

Next, a waiting process is performed for a certain period of time (or apredetermined time) by the CPU 201 (S802). This is because, in the imageforming apparatus 102, a start process time for a few seconds to minutesis necessary from the reception of the start instruction in S801 tocompletion of the start. More specifically, the certain period of timeof 10 to 30 seconds is set as the waiting time based on the timenecessary to normally start the cooperating image forming apparatus, andthe like.

Next, the CPU 201 judges through the LAN I/F 2 (213) whether or not thestart of the cooperating image forming apparatus 102 has been completed(S803). More specifically, the CPU 201 judges and confirms the start byperforming communication from the LAN I/F 2 (213) to the image formingapparatus 102. When it is judged that the start of the image formingapparatus 102 has been completed, a start condition is returned to theexternal image processing controller 101 in accordance with such a startconfirmation.

When a notification of the start completion is received from the imageforming apparatus 102, it is judged by the CPU 201 that the start of theimage forming apparatus 102 has been completed (YES in S803), theprocess is advanced to S804.

Next, in S804, since the start of the image forming apparatus 102 hasbeen completed and thus the image forming process can be performed, theinitialization and start process is performed by the CPU 201 to the jobcontrol part 312 which was not started in S605 of FIG. 6, and all theservices of the external image processing controller 101 are started. Bythe above process, since the job control part 312 is started, theexternal image processing controller 101 can accept the process (e.g.,the print instruction from the PC client 103) which is performed incooperation with the image forming apparatus 102. Then, the process isadvanced to S805 by the CPU 201.

In S805, the CPU 201 notifies the start instruction source of thecompletion of the start, through the LAN I/F 1 (212). Here, the startinstruction source is identified by using the value of the startinstruction PC client IP 502 (FIG. 5) stored in the memory of the LANI/F (212). Besides, to notify the start instruction source of thecompletion of the start, an SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)trap which is general as a network monitoring method, a TCP/IP(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) communication from theexternal image processing controller 101, or the like is used. By such amethod, the CPU 201 performs the notification to the image formingapparatus management tool operating in the PC client 103. Then, theprocess in this flow chart is completed by the CPU 201.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, it is possible under the control of theCPU 201 not to accept the process to be performed in cooperation withthe image forming apparatus 102 until the start of the image formingapparatus 102, but to accept the process to be performed in cooperationwith the image forming apparatus 102 after the start of the imageforming apparatus 102.

Incidentally, although only one IP address is recorded as the startinstruction PC client IP 502 in FIG. 5, the record contents illustratedin FIG. 5 may be expanded. More specifically, a plurality of startinstruction PC client IPs may be recorded so as to be able to notify aplurality of PC clients (not illustrated) of start probability in regardto start instructions therefrom.

On the other hand, in S803, when the notification of the startcompletion is not received from the image forming apparatus 102, it isjudged by the CPU 201 that the start of the image forming apparatus isnot completed (NO in S803), and the process is advanced to S806.Incidentally, as the case where the notification of the start completionis not received from the image forming apparatus 102, for example, somekind or another reason is conceivable, that is, a case where the powersupply plug 907 has come out of the image forming apparatus 102, a casewhere the body power supply switch 908 is being off, a case where theimage forming apparatus itself has been broken down, or the like. Inthis case, since the image forming apparatus 102 cannot be started forthe above reason, it is impossible for this apparatus to respond to thecommunication from the LAN I/F 2 (213).

In S806, it is judged by the CPU 201 whether or not the certain periodof time (predetermined time) has elapsed after the start instruction inS801 to the image forming apparatus 102. Here, as described in S802, atime 5 to 10 times longer than the time to the completion of the normalstart is set as the certain period of time. More specifically, a timewhich is selected from the range of about 2 to 10 minutes is set.

When it is judged that the certain period of time does not elapse (NO inS806), there is a case where the start instruction in S801 does notreach the image forming apparatus 102 for some kind or another reason.Consequently, the process is returned to S801 by the CPU 201 to againissue the start instruction.

On the other hand, when it is judged that the certain period of time hasalready elapsed (YES in S806), it is judged by the CPU 201 that theimage forming apparatus 102 cannot start the operation due to some kindor another failure, and the process is advanced to S807.

In S807, the CPU 201 judges that it fails in the start of thecooperating image forming apparatus 102, and thus notifies the startinstruction source of the failure of the start (start failurenotification) through the LAN I/F 1 (212). Incidentally, it should benoted that such notification is performed by the method same as thatdescribed in the step of S805. Then, the process in this flow chart iscompleted by the CPU 201.

As just described, it is possible to achieve the start of only theexternal image processing controller 101 by automatically discriminatingthe user's operation, that is, whether the start instruction has beenissued through the network or by the user's depression of the main powersupply button. Further, as in the above process advanced from S602 toS605 in FIG. 6, in the state that the start of the cooperating imageforming apparatus 102 is not completed, the job control part 312 whichcannot be used in this state is not started (that is, the stopping stateof this part is maintained), and the state that the external imageprocessing controller 101 does not accept the print instruction from thePC client 103 is set. Thus, it is possible to effectively prevent thatthe print job is erroneously given to the image forming apparatus in thenonprintable state like this.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possibleto start only the external image processing controller 101 withoutstarting the image forming apparatus 102 by automatically discriminatingthe user's operation (i.e., the start instruction from the PC client103, the turn-on of the main power supply switch 208 of the externalimage processing controller 101).

More specifically, in a case where a user wishes to start, by theconventional technique, the whole image processing system such as animage forming system established in a computer room of an office or aschool, the user can start the whole image processing system includingthe image forming function by the start instruction (e.g., remote on)from the PC client 103. Besides, in a case where the user wishes tostart only the external image processing controller 101 in such anenvironment as a design laboratory in which the system is mostly usedonly for typesetting edit, it is possible to start only the externalimage processing controller 101 by depressing the main power supplyswitch 208 of the external image processing controller 101.

Therefore, it is possible to achieve both the linkage start and theindividual start for the external image processing controller and theimage forming apparatus which make the image processing system capableof achieving the cooperative image process.

More specifically, in the image processing system in which the externalimage processing controller 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 areprovided to cooperate, even in the case where the starts of both theexternal image processing controller and the image forming apparatus arelinked together, it is possible to start and use only the necessaryportion by turning on the power supply of only the external imageprocessing controller 101. Thus, it is possible to reduce wasteful powerconsumption and thus achieve further power saving.

Incidentally, in a case where both the external image processingcontroller 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 have been started andthe main power supply switch 208 of the external image processingcontroller 101 is turned off, the CPU 201 of the external imageprocessing controller 101 may bring the state of the external imageprocessing controller 101 to the power saving state and also bring themode of the image forming apparatus 102 to the deep sleep mode.

Further, in addition to the body power supply switch 908, anot-illustrated main power supply switch may be provided on the imageforming apparatus 102. In such a case, since the power supply controlunit 905 of the image forming apparatus 102 is connected to the mainpower supply switch (not illustrated) through a main power supply switchline (not illustrated), it is possible to detect whether or not the mainpower supply switch is depressed by a user through the main power supplyswitch line. Then, the power supply control unit 905 causes the powersupply unit 906 to activate power supply to the main power supply line923 using the power supply unit control line 921, on the basis ofdetection of the depression of the main power supply switch.

In a case where both the image forming apparatus 102 having theconstitution like this and the external image processing controller 101are not started and the main power supply switch (not illustrated) ofthe image forming apparatus 102 is turned on, the image formingapparatus 102 may be started alone.

Incidentally, various data formations and contents of the presentembodiment are not limited to those described above. Namely, it isneedless to say that further various data formations and contents areachieved according to various uses and purposes.

Although the present embodiment has been exemplarily described as above,the present invention can be provided with, for example, otherembodiments of a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, a storagemedium and the like. More specifically, the present invention may beapplied to a system which is made by a plurality of devices or to anapparatus which is made by a single device.

Moreover, a constitution which is obtained by combining theconstitutions of the above embodiments is also included in the presentinvention.

Moreover, it should be noted that the present invention is not limitedthe control scheme of the above embodiment that, when the startinstruction packet is received by the external image processingcontroller 101 through the network, the image forming apparatus 102 islinked and started, and, when the main power supply switch 208 of theexternal image processing controller 101 is turned on, the image formingapparatus 102 is not linked.

For example, when the unicast packet is used as the start instructionpacket, the image forming apparatus 102 may be linked and started, and,when the broadcast packet or the multicast packet is used as the startinstruction packet, the image forming apparatus 102 may not be linked.

Moreover, in the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 102 isconnected to the network through the external image processingcontroller 101. However, the present invention is not limited to thisconfiguration. Namely, the image forming apparatus 102 may be connectedto the network directly.

Other Embodiments

Moreover, the present invention can also be realized by performing aprocess of supplying software (programs) for realizing the functions ofthe above embodiment to a system or an apparatus through a network orvarious storage media and causing a computer (such as a CPU or an MPU)of the system or the apparatus to read out and execute the suppliedprograms.

Moreover, the present invention may be applied to a system consisting ofa plurality of devices or to an apparatus consisting of a single device.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, andvarious modifications (including organic combinations of respectiveembodiments) are possible based on the purport of the present invention.Namely, these modifications are not eliminated from the scope of thepresent invention, and a constitution which is obtained by combining theabove embodiment and its modification is entirely included in thepresent invention.

Aspects of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of asystem or apparatus (or devices such as a CPU or MPU) that reads out andexecutes a program recorded on a memory device to perform the functionsof the above-described embodiments, and by a method, the steps of whichare performed by a computer of a system or apparatus by, for example,reading out and executing a program recorded on a memory device toperform the functions of the above-described embodiments. For thispurpose, the program is provided to the computer for example via anetwork or from a recording medium of various types serving as thememory device (e.g., computer-readable medium).

While the present invention has been described with reference to theexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2012-136757, filed Jun. 18, 2012, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

1-12. (canceled)
 13. An information processing apparatus which iscommunicably connected to an image forming apparatus and which transfersimage data to the image forming apparatus, comprising: a receiving unitconfigured to receive a return instruction for returning the informationprocessing apparatus from a power saving state, from an external devicethrough a network; a power switch configured to receive a userinstruction for returning the information processing apparatus from thepower saving state, from a user; a power control unit configured toreturn the information processing apparatus from the power saving statein accordance with the return instruction or the user instruction; andan instruction unit configured to instruct the image forming apparatusto return from the power saving state based on the informationprocessing apparatus returning from the power saving state in accordancewith the return instruction.
 14. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 13, wherein the instruction unit does not instructthe image forming apparatus to return from the power saving state basedon the information processing apparatus returning from the power savingstate in accordance with the user instruction.
 15. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising aninformation receiving unit configured to receive, from the image formingapparatus, information indicating that the image forming apparatus hasbeen returned from the power saving state.
 16. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising: atransmitting unit configured to transmit, to the external device,information indicating that the power state of the image formingapparatus has been returned from the power saving state, in a case wherethe information receiving unit receives the information indicating thatthe image forming apparatus has been returned from the power savingstate.
 17. The information processing apparatus according to claim 16,wherein, in a case where the information receiving unit does not receivethe information indicating that the image forming apparatus has beenreturned from the power saving state, the transmitting unit transmits,to the external device, information indicating that the image formingapparatus is not returned from the power saving state.
 18. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein, in acase where the information receiving unit does not receive theinformation indicating that the image forming apparatus has beenreturned from the power saving state before a predetermined timeelapses, the transmitting unit transmits, to the external device, theinformation indicating that the image forming apparatus is not returnedfrom the power saving state.
 19. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 13, further comprising a data processing unitconfigured to control the information processing apparatus, wherein, inthe power saving state, power is not supplied to the data processingunit and power is supplied to the receiving unit.
 20. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the power controlunit returns the information processing apparatus from the power savingstate to a standby power state in which power is supplied to the dataprocessing unit and the receiving unit in accordance with the returninstruction or the user instruction.
 21. The information processingapparatus according to claim 13, wherein the image forming apparatus iscommunicably connected with the information processing apparatus via aLAN (Local Area Network).
 22. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 13, wherein the image forming apparatus iscommunicably connected with the information processing apparatus via aUSB (Universal Serial Bus).
 23. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 13, wherein prior to the receiving unit receiving thereturn instruction or the power switch receiving the user instruction,both the information processing apparatus and the image formingapparatus are in the power saving state.
 24. The information processingapparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a plug unitconfigured to receive power from an external power supply, wherein theimage forming apparatus comprises a plug unit configured to receivepower from an external power supply.
 25. A method of controlling aninformation processing apparatus which is communicably connected to animage forming apparatus and which transfers image data to the imageforming apparatus, the method comprising: receiving a return instructionfor returning the information processing apparatus from a power savingstate, from an external device through a network; receiving a userinstruction for returning the information processing apparatus from thepower saving state, from a user; returning the information processingapparatus from the power saving state in accordance with the receivedreturn instruction or the received user instruction; and instructing theimage forming apparatus to return from a power saving state based on theinformation processing apparatus returning from the power saving statein accordance with the received return instruction.
 26. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that causesa computer to execute the method according to claim 25.